Problems arising from equality and diversity issues

One theme that seemed to pervade much of the discussion of problems associated with alcohol related to equality and diversity issues in the face of increasing variation in the student body. Interviewees reported that differences between groups of students presented issues for the university systems, structures and procedures, as well as for the individual students. In this section we examine some of those differences and their implications for the university.

4.2.4.1 Clash of cultures for international students

Interviewees noted the differences in culture of the international students which influenced the way in which they viewed alcohol. Whilst many came from cultures that promoted abstinence from alcohol, not all did and interviewees were quick to point out the diversity of the group of international students and the need to be aware of this, and not to over- generalise. However, interviewees reported that many international students perceived UK students to drink a lot which they found strange. Even where the international students came from cultures where alcohol was permitted, their home universities „do not have alcohol as

part of the social life‟. Staff considered it important to prepare students for the difference and „so therefore we incorporate into our orientation that that is part of the culture at a UK university and if they‟re living in halls of residence they may well deal with students who have had a few [drinks of alcohol]‟.

Interviewees also reported that international students often came from more formal cultures in which student behaviour is much more respectful generally and the exaggeration stimulated by alcohol makes the difference much difficult to deal with. They „form a view of what they

might see as loutish behaviour and I‟ve noticed it create not just distress but quite a lot of anger in students, that they feel that some of the other students don‟t respect them or. .they don‟t respect themselves‟. For some, this makes integration into the general student society

more difficult and interviewees expressed some concerns about the potential insularity of international students. As one pointed out ‘so they don‟t mix because a lot of the socialising

[takes place around alcohol] … and they don‟t play sport, the culture of the sporting teams was very much linked to drinking games and initiation ceremonies and things like that that were strongly related to drink, so therefore the international student, because they didn‟t have that culture, would not then engage in those, they would feel that that was a barrier to them taking part in those sports. Whilst induction procedures were developed to address these

cultural differences and support the students in their transition to the university, the interviewees also drew attention to the need to find ways of facilitating international students’ involvement in all aspects of university life.

4.2.4.2 Religion and ethnicity

Interviewees noted that religion played a part in students’ willingness to drink alcohol and the problems that this could present. Some students practised religions that specifically forbade the use of alcohol, whilst others were able to drink, but only in moderation, and excessive drinking and the free behaviour often associated with it was frowned upon. Often interviewees viewed these students as feeling alienated or isolated from the general pattern of student socialising and commented upon the need for the university „to be a safe place for all

of those people‟. Similar comments were made in relation to ethnicity which was often

associated with religion when alcohol use was considered. Thus ethnic groups with religious affiliations that supported abstinence tended to be mentioned as having more problems in socialising with the broader student population. Interviewees commented on the need to recognise the diversity and to ensure that the behaviour of one group of students did not adversely affect the experience of another.

4.2.4.3 Student sub-groups

HE staff interviewees reported the perceived tensions between meeting the needs of different groups of students. They focussed upon differences between drinkers and non-drinkers, mature and traditional students and home and university based students. Staff reported some tensions between the drinkers and the non-drinkers and the need to ensure that the activities of the former did not adversely affect the experience of the latter ‘we all say to them that we are

not here to police them in their drinking and to stop them having a good time … but when it does start to cause problems and issues is when it affects others‟. Another, in talking of

drinking on campus expressed the view that „‟my strong view would be that one group of

students behaviour mustn‟t adversely affect another‟s…..it‟s[alcohol] got to be controlled, it‟s got to be so that it doesn‟t affect, adversely affect, the experience of other students‟ .

Similar issues arose through differences arising between the needs of the mature students and those of the traditional 18 -20 year olds straight from school, especially the latter ones who lived on campus. Events put on by the union and activities hosted particularly during Welcome Week tended to address the needs of the traditional students and live up to expectations of heavy socialising centred on alcohol. Despite attempts to develop more

inclusive and less alcohol focused experiences, interviewees noted that mature students and those who lived locally and travelled in on a daily basis, still reported feeling excluded from the activities and from the student union and the sports teams because of expectations concerning alcohol consumption.

4.2.4.4 The student union

A number of the interviewees noted that the student union had also experienced problems in catering for the diverse needs of those who drank alcohol and those who did not. The union was seen to be associated with alcohol use, both in terms of its facilities and the activities it supported, which according to the interviewees seemed to be largely directed at traditional students. They were concerned that international and mature students and younger ones who did not drink alcohol were put off by the emphasis on alcohol in the union itself and the particular types of social activities that they organised. As one interviewee said „I think

they‟d tell you in no uncertain terms what they think of the student union and their non- provision for students who don‟t drink‟ . Here, they noted that the union had the difficult role

of balancing the needs of various groups and also the need to maintain their own viability and work effectively with the university. Some HE staff and representatives of the student union pointed to changes that had been made to develop a less alcohol focussed and more inclusive experience for all students. Attempts to de-emphasise alcohol and drinking resulted in the development and implementation of policies on alcohol as well as changes to the union facilities and to the creation of formal links with clubs in town. However, the reduction in usage of the union building as a consequence of these changes and the need to be economically viable meant that the recently instigated no-alcohol policy on the ground floor of the union was reversed during the academic year and alcohol, music and dances reintroduced. As well as traditional students, sabbatical members of the union pointed to an increase in mature and international students once the beer pumps had been restored in the ground floor, which seemed to indicate that there were non-traditional students who also appreciated the changed atmosphere. However, other staff members also related concerns they had received from other students who regretted the changed emphasis and thought that the student union did not do enough to encourage the inclusion of non-drinking students or those whose alcohol consumption and desire for partying and clubbing was restricted. Trying to balance the needs and wishes of the diverse student body was a particular issue for the union.

4.2.4.5 University facilities

Some interviewees drew attention to the limited range of university leisure facilities to meet the diverse needs of the students which they felt encouraged students to focus on the night club and alcohol based activities. They also noted the apparent reliance on the student union to provide such leisure opportunities for students which they felt emphasised the nightclubs, sports teams and alcohol based social activities. This view was expressed by at least one of the external interviewees as well as internal staff. Interviewees reported concerns from non- traditional students that there were too few alternatives to address the needs of those who did not use, or made only limited use of, alcohol, both within the union and separate from it. For example, it was noted that the union organised social activities such as nightclubs which included transport to and from the venue for students in the town centre, but there was less support for non-alcohol related activities such as trips to the theatre or cinema. However, some interviewees also referred to a range of non-alcohol related activities that were promoted within the university and which some students took advantage of. These included

the gym and the department set up to encourage student volunteering, etc. in addition to the union activities. They considered that the problem was one of the students not taking up the opportunities offered rather than one of availability. Overall though there was a view that the university should ensure the provision of alternative facilities and activities to meet the needs of a wider range of students and to discourage the perceived emphasis on alcohol related socialisation.

4.2.4.6 University operations

One matter raised concerned the implications of the diverse nature of the student body on the operations of the university and the extent to which the university could accommodate the range of views on alcohol. Some interviewees reported that alcohol was such a significant factor for some minority groups that its presence at university events would prevent them attending. Traditionally alcohol had been served at such events although soft drinks were also available. However, there was increasing awareness that some students and/or their families, usually for religious reasons, would not attend events where alcohol was served, and this raised the question as to whether the university ‘was excluding them by serving alcohol‟. It also presented the university with the dilemma that if the event became alcohol free, then those students who wanted to celebrate with a glass of champagne would also be disadvantaged. Increasing diversity amongst the student body meant such dilemmas would become more salient; that, as one member of staff put it ‘I think it‟s going to become more of

an issue‟. Thus, the extent to which, for example, the university should adjust its traditional

approach of allowing alcohol to be served at formal events such as graduation was raised as a matter that perhaps needed to be addressed if the university was to meet its obligations under equality and diversity legislation.

Some interviewees considered that such diversity issues needed to be dealt with explicitly in terms of policy and procedures. Others commented more generally on the need for the university to address the tensions associated with differing views on alcohol use between groups. Often this was viewed as a need for the university to ensure a culture in which the behaviours of one group of students did not adversely affect the experiences of others, and notably, that those who drank alcohol did not negatively impact on the experience of those who did not. Here, the university’s responsibility to ensure equality and positive experiences for all groups of students is accepted but stops short of advocating specific policy and procedures to deal with the cultural diversity.